South End Two Guys pizza reopens in Torrington with familiar faces

Nicole Northrop stands inside South End Two Guys in Torrington on Thursday, August 22. Northrop is the owner and manager of the pizza restaurant, which had it’s grand opening on Wednesday after being closed for four months.
Esteban L. Hernandez — Register Citizen

The sign outside South End Two Guys on 277 S. Main St. on Thursday, August 22.
Esteban L. Hernandez — Register Citizen

TORRINGTON >> There’s a thin white rope attached to the top right corner of the front door at South End Two Guys on South Main Street.

At the end of the cord, a small bell is attached. As the door opens, the cord pulls and rings the bell.

Owner and manager of South End Two Guys, Nicole Northrop, looked at rope with amusement on Thursday afternoon.

“I believe that was Darcy’s idea,” Northrop said.

Northrop was referring to Darcy McIntire, her grandfather. He opened South End Two Guys pizza restaurant in 2004. He passed away in March, and for four months the restaurant closed its doors as the family mourned and regrouped.

On Wednesday, the restaurant held its grand re-opening, beginning another chapter for one of Torrington’s favorite pizza spots in a city known for its many pie shops.

“It was kind of crazy,” Northrop said. “We kind of just got thrown into opening. We had a lot of word out, and we were excited about opening.”

The community wanted the restaurant to reopen, Northrop said, and people in the community were excited.

“We had people calling, asking us if we were still opened,” Northrop said. “It was a big motivation for me. I think without the community wanting it to be, I don’t know what would have happened.”

One of McIntire’s nephews, Ben McIntire, is working with Northrop as the only two official employees of the restaurant. Ben McIntire worked there before its temporary closure.

“Family is very supportive, so they come and help us,” Northrop said.

Northrop said she wanted to make sure she preserves and continues her grandfather’s legacy, which is one of the reasons she ended up with ownership of the restaurant. The family didn’t consider selling the businesses at any point during the four months that it was closed, Northrop said. Northrop, who also works at Torrington Health and Rehabilitation, has lived in Torrington for 13 years and is originally from North Branford.

“It was a little crazy, but we got this far,” Northrop said. “We kind of just agreed that is was just going to be me with it.”

The restaurant hosts a daily special offering a slice of cheese pizza for 99 cents. In addition to its pizza, calzones, grinders, spaghetti dishes and salad are on the menu as well. Northrop said burgers and fries are also being sold.